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Brooklake Salad
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Entrees are accompanied by souffle potato cake, parmesan cheese, fresh asparagus and fresh carrots
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Mini New York style cheesecake
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The Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated 40th Anniversary Celebration Message from the President
April 19, 2026
Greetings Sister Links and Guests:
As National President of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated, it is my honor to extend greetings on behalf of more than 17,500 members across 303 chapters to the Essex County (NJ) Chapter on your 40 Chapter Anniversary – A Polo & Pastels th Affair A heartfelt Congratulations! to the chapter officers, members, family, and friends as you celebrate this milestone year
The Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, chartered on April 26, 1986, was established under the leadership of organizers Susan Rhue Jenkins, Karen Marie Calloway, and Vivian Dunn Brown. Over the past four decades, the chapter has established a distinguished legacy of impactful service. This chapter has also provided distinguished leadership to our organization through its members including Immediate Past National Treasurer, Ethelyn Bowers, whom I’ve had the pleasure to serve alongside.
The chapter’s award-winning programs aligned with the organization’s five facets, earning honors such as the Hardiman-Johnson Award and national recognition for initiatives like “Roadmap to College.” Its community-focused work includes youth development through its signature Cotillion program; participation in national and local health and wellness events such as The Links Black Family Wellness Expo and Little Chefs; civic engagement through Operation Big Vote; and strong partnerships with local schools and cultural institutions. Since its chartering, the chapter’s influence has extended globally including building a school in South Africa, longstanding support of St. Mary’s Preparatory & Kindergarten School in Jamaica, and providing critical disaster relief where needed, thus demonstrating a commitment to both local impact and global responsibility
As you commemorate this special occasion, I commend and salute Chapter President Tammye Tillman Jones for her outstanding leadership, and a special Thank You to the 40 Anniversary th Chairs and Committee who made this day meaningful and memorable Thank you also to the sponsors, supporters and community partners whose investments have fueled the work Finally, to each Chapter Officer and Member, Thank You for your enduring commitment to uplift communities and advance the mission of The Links, Incorporated with distinction and grace.
On behalf of the entire membership of The Links, Incorporated, I applaud the extraordinary accomplishments you have made together. May you continue to embody - Friends Transforming Communities through Service.
With admiration and gratitude,
Ethel Isaacs Williams, J.D. National President
April 19, 2026
Dear Members of the Essex County (NJ) Chapter,
It is with great joy and admiration that I extend heartfelt congratulations as you celebrate forty years of friendship, service, and transformational impact. The Essex County (NJ) Chapter has built a legacy distinguished by elegance, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to enriching lives both near and far.
Today’s Polo & Pastels celebration is more than an afternoon of beauty and refinement; it is a reflection of the grace with which you have served your community for four decades. From nurturing outstanding young women through the beloved Emerald and Ivory Debutante Cotillion to championing the arts across New Jersey’s cultural landscape, your work continues to affirm the power of purpose in motion.
Your partnerships that expand opportunity, whether in Newark classrooms, at the Tender Talents Magnet School in Uganda, or through the creation of a school and garden initiative in South Africa, speak to the Chapter’s extraordinary vision. This spirit of global citizenship and generosity defines who you are and inspires us all to reach higher in our collective mission.
As you mark this remarkable milestone, may you celebrate not only the years behind you, but the bright horizon ahead. May the bonds of friendship remain steadfast, the call to service ever strong, and the light of your legacy continue to shine for generations to come.
In Friendship and Service,
Lisa Loury Lomas, PhD
Eastern
Area Director
The Links, Incorporated
The Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated 40 Anniversary Celebration Message from the Chairs th
On behalf of The Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated it is our distinct honor and privilege to serve as Co-Chairs for our 40th Anniversary Celebration This milestone marks four decades of unwavering friendship, dedicated service, and commitment to the communities in Union, Hudson, and Essex Counties in New Jersey. We are delighted to commemorate this occasion with a special event: Polo & Pastels: An Afternoon Gala. We appreciate the partnerships and sponsorships that have strengthened our mission and broadened our impact. Together, we have made Essex County and beyond stronger and more vibrant. We celebrate 40 years of excellence and positive impact through our community service programs in The Arts, Services to Youth, Health and Human Services, and National and International Trends.
We are deeply honored to lead this celebration and are immensely grateful for the unwavering support of our Chapter Organizers Susan Rhue Jenkins, Karen Calloway and Vivian Dunn Brown, our Charter members, ECCL members, sponsors, and community partners. Your generosity and commitment have been instrumental in helping us enrich the lives of those we serve through our impactful community programs and initiatives.
As we commemorate this significant event, we acknowledge the valuable relationships established and the accomplishments attained We are thrilled you have joined us for this special event and to help us continue our legacy of service Your presence and support will make a significant difference in our ability to positively impact the community now and in the future.
Thank you for walking this journey with us over the last 40 years. We look forward to our continued partnership and to celebrating with you.
Warmest regards,
Wren Lester Yolanda Ruffin
Event Chairs, Polo & Pastels: An Afternoon Gala
The Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
Wren Mosee Lester Yolanda Chestnut Ruffin
April,2026
Dear Members of the Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links Incorporated:
Warmest congratulations are extended to you as you celebrate 40 years of outstanding service, meaningful impact, and four decades of excellence in your community This remarkable milestone stands as a testament to the vision, dedication, and collective commitment of the women who have carried forward the mission and ideals of our beloved organization through the years
Across four decades, your chapter has distinguished itself through purposeful programs, compassionate outreach, and steadfast leadership. Your efforts reflect the very best of our organization’s enduring legacy.
I am proud to be a member of our beloved organization and therefore share in the pride of your accomplishments. Your chapter’s work contributes to the broader strength and reputation of our sisterhood and its enduring commitment to meaningful service.
This celebration is also personally meaningful to me, as my daughter, Dr. Wartyna L. Davis, is a member of your distinguished chapter. Knowing that she serves alongside such accomplished and dedicated women brings me great pride and confidence that the chapter’s legacy of excellence will continue well into the future
As you commemorate this significant anniversary, may you also celebrate the countless lives touched, the communities strengthened, and the powerful example of service you have set for those who will follow
Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued success, growth, and impact in the years ahead.
NationalParliamentarianofTheLinks,Incorporated
With warm regards and admiration, Dr. Tyna D. Davis, PRP Rev. 05/2025
Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated: Special
Recognition: Charter Members
Ethely
KarenM
Joan Rhue Randall
CynthiaCuffie
ConstanceMcAllister
Patricia Clark
NEWJERSEYSENATE
NEWJERSEY STATESENATOR BENJIEE.WIMBERLY SENATOR35THDISTRICT , PARTOFBERGENAND PASSAICCOUNTIES
301MAINSTREET–STE.360 PATERSON,NJ07505 (973)925-7061 FAX(973)925-7067
senwimberly@njleg.org
January29,2026
DearMembersoftheEssexCounty(NJ)ChapterofTheLinks,Incorporated,
On behalf of the New Jersey 35th Legislative District, it is my distinct honor to extend heartfelt congratulations to the EssexCountyChapterofTheLinks,Incorporated,asyoucelebrateyour40thAnniversary,aremarkablemilestone definedbyservice,leadership,andanunwaveringcommitmenttocommunityuplift.
Forfourdecades,yourchapterhasexemplifiedtheverybestofcivicengagement.Throughyourdedicationtoexpanding accesstoeducation,advancinghealthequity,andassistingthoseinneed,youhavedemonstratedoneofthemostpowerful anddistinguishedexpressionsofcitizenship.Yourworkhasnotonlytransformedindividuallives,buthasalso strengthenedfamilies,neighborhoods,andthebroaderfabricofourcommunities
Yourupcomingcelebration, Polo & Pastels: An Afternoon Gala,reflectstheelegance,purpose,andimpactthatdefine yourorganization Moreimportantly,yourambitiousgoaltoraiseover$40,000insupportofeducationaladvancement, healthequity,andglobaloutreachinunderservedcommunitiesspeaksvolumesaboutyourcontinueddedicationto meaningfulchange
As you mark this 40-year legacy of excellence, please know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. I am deeply humbled byyourserviceandgratefulfortheenduringpartnershipyourepresentbetweencivicleadershipandcommunity empowerment.
May this anniversary celebration be both a reflection of all you have accomplished and an inspiration for the impactful workstilltocome.Iextendmybestwishesforasuccessfulandmemorableevent,andformanymoreyearsof transformativeservice.
Withprofoundrespectandappreciation,
BenjieE.Wimberly
Senator
April18,2026
EssexCounty(NJ)ChapterofTheLinks,Incorporated
DearFriends,
OnbehalfofNewJersey’s10 CongressionalDistrict,Iamdelightedtocongratulatethe th Essex County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (ECCL) on four successful decades of service.Sincethechapter’sfoundingin1986,thisorganizationempowersEssexCounty’s residents through various activities and programming. On the momentous occasion of its 40th anniversarycelebration,IthanktheEssexCountyChapterofTheLinks,Inc.fornotable contributionstoourcommunityandbeyond.
The “Polos & Pastels” 40 Anniversary Celebration honors ECCL’s decades of service, th thechapter’scommunitypartners,andhighlightsthechapter’sexpansiveimpact.Through community-centered service within facets of The Arts, Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services, ECCL provides invaluableopportunitiestoEssexCountyfamiliesandresidents,epitomizingwhatitmeanstotruly upliftourneighbors.
Asyourcongresswomanforthe10 CongressionalDistrictofNewJersey,Iamproudto th extendmycongratulationstotheEssexCounty(NJ)ChapterofTheLinks,Incorporatedonits40th anniversary.Ilookforwardtosupportingthisorganizationinallofitsfutureendeavors.
Sincerely,
LaMonicaMcIver MemberofCongress
Shariah Harris
Shariah Harris , 28, is a graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor’s in Animal Science During her 4 years at Cornell, she played for the Women’s Varsity Polo Team. Capping off her career there, Shariah was named the Intercollegiate Player of the Year in 2020.
Shariah made history in 2017, becoming the first African American women to play in the highest level of polo in the US. Additionally in 2024, being the first African American women to play in the US Women’s Open
Shariah continues to play polo at a competitive level while also juggling her career as a nurse in the operating room.
Dr.
Alonzo Adams
“Afterglow”
Alonzo Adams was born in 1961 in Harlem, New York, and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, by his loving mother His passion for art was ignited and nurtured from the vibrant streets of Plainfield to the country roads of North Carolina and was further enriched by his travels to Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. These experiences exposed him to diverse cultures and artistic influences, shaping his worldview and deepening his connection to his heritage. Through his dedication to capturing the beauty and dignity of everyday Black experiences along with his duty to use his gift to speak out on social justice issues for African Americans, Alonzo has made an indelible mark on contemporary figurative art
Inspired by artistic greats such as Charles White, Henry Ossawa Tanner, L’Hermitte, John Singer Sargent, and Rembrandt, Alonzo’s journey as an artist was marked by critical mentorships and pivotal opportunities. He credits Dr. David Driskell, a pioneering scholar and artist, for providing invaluable mentorship early in his career, which helped define his direction and goals as an artist. A transformative fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, funded by Dr William Cosby, introduced Alonzo to the medium of oil painting, profoundly shaping his artistic style Alonzo went on to earn a BFA from Mason Gross School of Art at Rutgers University and an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania, grounding his talent in formal education and expanding his mastery of figurative art.
Recently, Alonzo Adams has achieved several significant milestones in his career. He celebrated his first museum exhibition at the Zimmerli Art Museum, a prestigious recognition of his work’s cultural and artistic significance. Additionally, Alonzo’s art was featured in a museum exhibition at Rutgers Camden, highlighting his contributions to contemporary art Beyond the gallery walls, he was commissioned by the city of Plainfield to create a mural, further cementing his connection to his hometown. Notably, Alonzo was also entrusted with a mural commission of the iconic Paul Robeson at the Rutgers football stadium, honoring the legacy of one of Rutgers' most renowned alumni and amplifying Alonzo’s own impact on the institution and community. These recent accomplishments underscore Alonzo’s continued influence and evolving legacy in the art world.
With over 35 years as a professional artist, Alonzo has received numerous accolades and awards in prestigious art exhibitions across the country. His work, celebrated for its vibrant and emotionally resonant depictions of African American life, has been recognized in various publications, including Art Business News, Black Enterprise, Images Magazine, Upscale Magazine, and ESPN Magazine. He considers fatherhood as his most important accolade as he takes pride in being a supportive father to his oldest son Jaylen Adams and youngest son and rising artist, Kyle Olani Adams Through their legacy collaboration, Kyle and Alonzo continue to foster an intergenerational dialogue through their artistic relationship as father and son.
Today, Alonzo continues to create and exhibit his work, remaining committed to his mission of representing and celebrating the richness of the African American experience through art. His legacy as an artist, mentor, and cultural storyteller endures, inspiring new generations of artists and collectors.
40 years, of moving with intention leading with grace, strength, and precision.
Like in the sport of polo, excellence is a team sport It is measured; It is disciplined; It is executed with purpose Today, we honor a chapter that understands: the power of team and the joy of winning for our community
Constance S. McAllister,Esq.
CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF ESSEX COUNTY (NJ) CHAPTER – THE LINKS INCORPORATED ON THE CELEBRATION OF 40 YEARS OF SERVICE
IN EAST ORANGE AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
ETHELYN S. BOWERS
CHARTER MEMBER
IMMEDIATE PAST NATIONAL TREASURER
MEMBER, WEST PALM BEACH (FL) CHAPTER
